SHOMARI BENTON
Shomari Benton is an experienced real estate attorney who focuses his practice on real estate and development. He is also an entrepreneur, community activist and blog writer.
Prior to joining the firm, Shomari worked as an attorney at one of the nation’s largest law firms. He has represented clients in several aspects of real estate law including development, financing, public incentive tools, purchases, sales, leasing, joint ventures, condemnation, planning and zoning, Brownfield development and CERCLA clean-up analysis.
Shomari serves as a member of the Kansas City Museum Foundation Board.
EDUCATION
- University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, Columbia MO | J.D., 2005
- University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia MO | B.S., 2002 Political Science
ADMISSIONS
- Missouri Bar Association
HONORS
- Board Member, Kansas City, MO Port Authority | 2011 – 2016
- District Representative, Kansas City, MO Redistricting Committee | 2011
- Member, Kansas City, MO Mayor’s Sewer and Stormwater Utilities Funding Task Force | 2008
- Top 40 Under 40, Kansas City Magazine | 2012
- Super Lawyer’s Magazine Rising Star | 2015
- Board Member, Missouri Clean Energy District | 2015 – 2017
- AIPAC National Council | 2016 – 2019
- Kansas City Business Journal Best of the Bar | 2019
- Board Member, Kansas City Museum Foundation | 2019 – present
Professional accomplishments
- Navigate bifurcation of 18-acre site from CERCLA level contaminated property
- Proof settlement release of real estate development partnership dissolution
- Draft Letter of Intent and Lease-to-Purchase contract for local charter school
- Commercial Real Estate – Drafted lease/sublease agreements for corporate entities, termination of easements and similar documents
- Worked on Land Use Development financing issues such as URDs and CIDs
- Counseled clients on a number of development related matters including public financing, planning & zoning process, & review of sale and lease agreements
- Negotiated with City, major University, Developer, and HOA concerning development rights and payments related to multi-level dormitory construction
- Advised clients on homeowner association formations and execution of rules under By-Laws and Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
- Draft pleadings and conduct negotiations in preparation for real estate litigation
- Reviewed and advised client concerning CERCLA, RCRA, and Phase I initiatives
- Advised client on reclamation/remediation of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
- Focused on Environmental Issues as they pertain to Municipal Sewer District’s requirements for state and federal compliance
- Representation of statutory agency on legal matters
- Represent Homeowner/Neighborhood Associations in Abandoned Housing and Civil Nuisance cases